First Cardio Kidney Diabetes (CKD) Global Consensus Conference
The era of interdisciplinary, translational medicine has arrived, and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is on the forefront of this transition. The NKF hosted the first Cardio Kidney Diabetes (CKD) Global Consensus Conference in October 2007 in Chicago. The conference agenda for this 2-day meeting is shown below (Figure).


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Figure.

Cardio Kidney Diabetes Global Consensus Conference agenda.

As Chair of the conference along with my co-Chairs Dr. Richard W. Nesto of the Lahey Clinic and Dr. Mark E. Molitch of Northwestern University, we aimed to integrate common topics of clinical and research interest among the specialties of cardiology, nephrology, and diabetology. More than 60 internationally recognized experts active in these disciplines attended. A series of publications in the major journals represented by these 3 specialties as well as primary care will result from this conference and, we hope, be available within the year.

A major message of this conference: this was the first time people had a forum to share ideas and approaches to common clinical problems that intersect cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and diabetes and to discuss such topics from these 3 viewpoints. The discussion was anchored on published data from their respective disciplines. It resulted in a true synergy of ideas and novel concepts that will spawn new research initiatives. Please stay tuned for the various publications that will ensue from this meeting as well as the primary "white paper" publication in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases about a year from now.

George L. Bakris, MD, FASN
University of Chicago School of Medicine
Chair, CKD Global Consensus Conference

Richard Nesto, MD, FACC
Lahey Clinic
Co-Chair, CKD Global Consensus Conference

Mark Molitch, MD
Northwestern University School of Medicine
Co-Chair, CKD Global Consensus Conference